Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42296104›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Perceptions of physical and occupational therapists on the utility of surface electromyography data in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Nadeen Al Awamry, Laura Seidelin, Alyssa Marino, Ethan Evans, Elizabeth Karam, Vishwa Kumar, Kristin E Musselman, Anita Kaiser, José Zariffa

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nadeen Al AwamryDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Laura SeidelinDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Alyssa MarinoDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Ethan EvansDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Elizabeth KaramDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Vishwa KumarDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Kristin E MusselmanDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Anita KaiserDepartment of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3521-7432
José ZariffaKITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8842-745X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSpinal cord injury (SCI) impacts physical, emotional, and social well-being, contributing to decreased quality of life and increased healthcare burden. Surface electromyography (sEMG), a non-invasive tool for measuring muscle activity, has demonstrated potential as a biomarker for recovery in SCI research, yet remains underutilized in clinical practice. Understanding how physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) perceive the use of sEMG is necessary for integrating sEMG into post-SCI treatment and advancing personalized rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND

methodsA cross-sectional, qualitative descriptive design was employed. Ten participants (9 PTs and 1 OT) were recruited through convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed inductively using a thematic analysis approach.

resultsTwo major themes were identified: 1) Perceived value of the use of electrophysiology and sEMG data in clinical practice. Participants valued sEMG as an adjunct assessment tool for providing objective feedback after incomplete SCI and setting goals during treatment. 2) Barriers and facilitators to implementing sEMG. Key barriers highlighted include the lack of training and standardized protocols. Continued training, resources, and educational support were key facilitators.

conclusionPTs and OTs perceive sEMG as a valuable tool in SCI rehabilitation, but desire education and standardized protocols to support its clinical integration.

Indexed as

ElectromyographyOccupational TherapistsPhysical TherapistsSpinal Cord InjuriesAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle Aged

Identifiers

PMID42296104
PMCPMC13268138

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.